Page 106 of Nash Falls

Nash looked up at twin two-story buildings connected by a long enclosed passage on the upper floor. “How long have you had this?”

“Nearly thirty years. Been addin’ to it as needed.”

“Really impressive, Shock.”

“Your dad would come up here and help me train the folks in hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. He could still hit the bullseye nine times out of ten well into his sixties. Natural marksman.”

“No surprise there.”

They climbed out of the van. Shock unlocked the main door, and they went inside.

“But is it secure? I mean, might they be able to find out about this place?” Nash asked.

“All anybody knows is you and your daddy weren’t close. And why would anybody think I’d be helpin’ your ass out after the church crap? But if shit does happen I got cameras all ’round here and some special surprises for folks justdroppin’in.”

“Okay. But I called you on your phone. They can get the phone logs.”

“That phone number ain’t in my name. It’s untraceable, in fact. In my business, you got to take precautions. It’s why I gave you that number in the first place. Never know how things will shake out.”

“Right. I’m sure.”

“Now, livin’ quarters are in this wing. Sort of college dorm setups, but you got your own bath. There’s a big kitchen, TV room, pool, ping pong, relaxation stuff, even hot and ice tubs because the work here gets people pretty sore. The other buildin’ is all the trainin’ facility.”

“You have other people here now?” Nash said anxiously.

“Wouldn’t have brought you if there were, Walter. And like I said before, I’m windin’ things down. I’ve made enough money to retire comfortably.”

“Then you don’t need me blowing those plans up, Shock.”

“I’ve made my decision.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. And I have about ten thousand in cash I brought with me.”

Shock cracked a smile. “Good man. Still have places that take the green.”

“I can check my emails and texts and phone messages if you’ve got a phone I can use. I’ve got all my account info and passwords memorized.”

Shock was already shaking his head. “I can get you a burner phone, but the technology they got these days? You access any of your accounts even from a burner they can use that as a toehold to find you.”

“What about my contact at the FBI? He gave me a secure app to use. I can download it on the burner. That should be safe.”

“Let me think on that. Right nowallthe badges are potential enemies for us, okay?”

“I defer to your expertise, certainly.”

He led Nash to his quarters, where Nash dropped off his personal items. He took out the gun and knife and placed them in a secure receptacle that Shock showed him how to access.

“So what’s going to happen now?” asked Nash.

“We lie low. We see what the landscape looks like. We gather intel and then base our decisions and actions on that.”

“Sounds like your Army training talking.”

“It’s applicable to a lot of things incivilianlife, too.”

“I suppose they have some APB out on me.”

“Hell, Walter, don’t sell yourself short, son. You are one of the most wanted fucken dudes in America right now.”